Rome via Brooklyn

When professor Yarrow told the group to leave early because the walk to the American Academy in Rome would take longer than expected, I honestly didn’t understand why. Looking at the map, it didn’t seem that far at all. I quickly realized I had underestimated just how steep the hill was. Between the intense Roman heat and what felt like climbing a mountain, a ten-minute walk easily turned into fifteen or twenty. By the time I had reached the top, I was exhausted, but the view made every step worth it. Looking out over Rome from above was absolutely beautiful. There was also a huge fountain with the brightest icy blue water I had ever seen. Even though it wasn’t drinkable, it honestly reminded me of a swimming pool and made me wish I could jump right in to cool off.

On the way to our meeting point, I had one of the most unexpected moments of my entire study abroad experience. Standing outside was one of my favorite childhood celebrities, Dove Cameron, who was there for a Vogue photoshoot. I couldn’t believe it. I actually worked up the courage to talk to her, but I got so flustered that I completely forgot to ask for a picture. It was so great to meet a celebrity whilst studying abroad, a memory I will forever look back on and laugh about.

Walking into the American Academy in Rome was an experience in itself. I could immediately tell it was a prestigious institution. Although my classmates, professor, and I were disappointed that our object handling session ended up being canceled, I still really enjoyed exploring the Academy. One thing that stood out to me immediately was the library. Seeing scholars from so many different countries quietly working on their own research projects was inspiring. It reminded me that learning isn’t limited to one country or one perspective. Everyone was there because they shared the same passion for history, archaeology, and preserving the past.

One question from today’s prompt asked what it means for an institution to be American in Italy. To me, it felt like the Academy served as a bridge between the two countries. The reading explains that foreign schools “emerged in a sociopolitical climate… and have since functioned as channels for the study of the ancient past and the promulgation of the ‘classical.’” After visiting the Academy, I understood exactly what that meant. Although we were physically in Rome, scholars from the United States were able to study, research and contribute to the understanding of Italian history while collaborating with people from around the world.

At the same time, the Academy also felt very Italian. The campus overlooked the city, the architecture blended beautifully with its surroundings, and the gardens were peaceful despite being in the middle of Rome. It never felt like an American college campus had simply been dropped into another country. Instead, it felt like it respected and embraced the culture around it.

One of my favorite parts of the visit was getting to see the archives where priceless books are carefully preserved. The room was surprisingly cold, but we quickly learned that the temperature is carefully controlled because preserving centuries-old books depends on maintaining the right environment. Honestly after walking uphill in the heat I wasn’t complaining about the air conditioning. Seeing handwritten copies of ancient books, including a beautifully illuminated copy of the Bible, completely amazed me. The gold detailing immediately caught my attention because it was still so vibrant after hundreds of years. It was hard to believe that every page had been created entirely by hand.

Although our handling session was canceled, simply watching how carefully the staff handled these books changed my perspective about historical objects. Every book shown rested on specially designed foam supports, and every movement was slow and gentle. It made me realize that these aren’t simply old books sitting on shelves. They are irreplaceable pieces of history that require constant care to survive for future generations. Even though I didn’t get to hold an artifact myself, watching professionals preserve them gave me a much greater appreciation for the responsibility that comes with protecting history.

Throughout this study abroad program, we’ve spent so much time learning about ancient Rome by visiting monuments like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and museums filled with artifacts. Visiting the Academy connected all of those experiences together, it reminded me that history doesn’t stop once archaeologists uncover an object. There are entire institutions dedicated to researching, preserving, translating, and sharing those discoveries with future generations. Without places like the American Academy, many of the things we’ve learned throughout this course might never have been documented or understood.

Looking back, today wasn’t my favorite because of one famous monument or archaeological site. It was my favorite because it showed me everything that happens behind the scenes. From climbing what felt like a mountain to reaching the Academy, unexpectedly meeting Dove Cameron, walking through the beautiful library and seeing centuries-old books preserved with incredible care, today reminded me that studying history is just as important as discovering it.